Chapter 18 — After the Cracks, I Become Myself

That story. It's over. But her life. Just opened the most beautiful chapter. After returning home. Wen Nhuoc Van put the file bag on the table. Dau Bao jumped up. Take a few sniffs. Then lost interest. Jump down again. Wen Nhuoc Van did not open it immediately. She made herself a cup of tea. Sit outside in the yard. Drink half a cup. Then go back into the room. Zip up the file bag. There aren't many things. A sketchbook from college. The book cover is old and worn. She once thought. It has been lost for a long time. A small round silver earring. It's the rest of the piercings. After one was lost before the wedding. A photo. It's a photo of the two of them together when they were in college. During the actual trip. Behind is a bright yellow ginkgo forest. A small piece of paper. There is only one line of text.

"Page forty-seven of the sketchbook. I've always loved that drawing."

Wen Nhuoc Van opened the notebook. Turn to page forty-seven. It's a very simple pencil sketch. A cat curled up sleeping on a chair. It's a cup of tea. Outside the window. It's the shadow of a tree spreading across the ground. She still remembers. The day I drew that picture. Fall of third year of college. She sat by the drawing room window. A stray cat ran in from the next room. Sleep well. She conveniently sketched a few lines. There are no special techniques. Nor does it convey any deep meaning. A very peaceful afternoon. Pho Hanh Chi remembered that picture again. Remembered for many years. On Nhuoc Van closed the notebook. Place on bookshelf. She didn't feel sad. Just feel. These items. Return to her hand. New is the right thing. They belong to her past. No longer belongs to you. The days that followed. Wen Nhuoc Van's life returned to normal. She goes to the pottery factory. Help Mr. Tham complete orders from tea shops. He rested. And she continued his work on his behalf. Free time. She began preparing for a solo exhibition next year. Theme "Sugar Road." In her head. It's becoming more and more obvious. That exhibition. It won't just be Kintsugi. She wanted to include all the possibilities of healing. Just one way. There is also the technique of patching ceramics with copper nails. Intentionally leave the crack intact. Every way to recover. Both represent a different attitude. Before things were broken. Or simply. Let it continue to carry that crack. It's all a choice. These are all answers. There is no nobler way than any other. Wen Nhuoc Van recorded all those ideas into sketches. Then cover an entire wall. She also stood in front of that wall for a while. Paste a new copy. Quietly took down another sheet. Late October. One day. Wen Nhuoc Van is adjusting the blank for a cup in the workshop. The phone suddenly rang. It's Mr. Phuong.

"Nhuoc Van."

"There's something I want to discuss with you."

"You say it."

"The location for the solo exhibition in March next year has been finalized."

"In Shanghai."

"But there is a new situation."

"A curator is very interested in your project."

"She wanted to join in."

"Tong Thanh Nghi."

"Are you familiar?"

The movements of On Nhuoc Van's hand stopped. The workpiece adjustment knife also stopped in mid-air.

"She is now a freelance curator."

"Reputation in the profession is very good."

"The architectural materials exhibition she curated last month just won the Best Curator award year."

"After seeing the news about your touring exhibition."

"She proactively contacted us."

"Speaking very enthusiastically about the topic 'Duong Khau'."

Wen Nhuoc Van put down the knife. Pick up the phone.

"Mr. Phuong."

"This..."

"Give me some time to think."

"Of course."

"No rush."

"I just wanted to let you know in advance."

After hanging up. Wen Nhuoc Van sat in front of the ceramic sharpening table. Quietly looking at the wall covered with sketches. Tong Thanh Nghi. The woman once knocked on her factory door on a rainy night in Hangzhou. The person said.

"I owe you an explanation."

If it was two years ago... Even if it was only half a year ago. She also absolutely did not think about cooperating with her. But now... On Nhuoc Van thought for a long time. She opened her phone. Find the contact method that Tong Thanh Nghi left behind. She has never saved it to her contacts. Never deleted it either. She typed a message.

"Tong Thanh Nghi, I am Wen Nhuoc Van. Mr. Phuong told me about your proposal. If it's convenient, could you send me your curatorial ideas for me to preview?"

Message just sent. Ten minutes later. There has been a response.

"Miss On, thank you for your willingness to consider. I have prepared it and will send it to your email immediately."

One minute later. Yet another message.

"Whether we end up working together or not, I'm still grateful that you answered me."

Wen Nhuoc Van did not text back. She put down the phone. Continue holding the workpiece adjustment knife. There are stories. No need to struggle for too long. Just look at the previous plan. If appropriate. Then cooperate. Not suitable. Then refuse. Not related to personal matters. This is work. She learned how. Separate each task separately. The very next morning. Tong Thanh Nghi's curatorial plan has been sent to Wen Nhuoc Van's inbox. She brewed a pot of tea. Sit in front of the table. Read carefully twice. The plan was prepared extremely carefully. Not a generic project type. Tong Thanh Nghi has carefully researched all of Wen Nhuoc Van's published works. The idea of a sightseeing route made her especially impressed. Entire exhibition. Will be guided by a "crack line." Visitors will walk along that crack. Go from intact items. To the broken items. Then move on. To the healing items.